Barbering Classes
How to Pick the Right One Near Shrewsbury Massachusetts

Now that you have made the decision to become a barber, you must enroll in the right barber school near Shrewsbury MA to receive your training. Because barbers are licensed in all states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass the licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. You may be a little confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between beauty and cosmetology schools, which both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the names are pretty much interchangeable and both relate to the same type of school. We'll speak a little bit more concerning that in the following segment. You will need to find a campus that is within reasonable driving distance of your home unless you are willing to relocate for training. Tuition will also be a critical factor when reviewing prospective barber schools. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Accreditation and reputation, for example are two of the other qualifications that you need to look into when weighing your school options. We will examine what questions you should ask concerning the barber colleges you are looking at later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what kinds of programs are available.

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Barbering is a Specialty of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is a profession that is everything about making the human body look more attractive with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. In order to work as a barber, the majority of states mandate that you go through some type of specialized training and then become licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Shrewsbury MA barber shops, but also such businesses as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have acquired experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin servicing clients either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many titles and work in a wide variety of specialties including:

• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians

As formerly stated, in all states working barbers must be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others employed in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to be licensed in those states.

Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges

Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Shrewsbury MA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many Shrewsbury MA businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation?  Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Shrewsbury MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty?  Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Shrewsbury MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided?  Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Shrewsbury MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program?  Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives aid in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Shrewsbury MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Offered?  The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Shrewsbury MA.

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Enroll in the Best Shrewsbury Barber College

Picking and enrolling in the ideal barber school is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed technician. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel confident about your decision. Make certain to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to compare schools. A good beginning in your due diligence process is to make certain that the college and program you select are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper selection. Once you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your career as a professional barber in Shrewsbury Massachusetts.

 

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